November 2, Kuala Lumpur – The Defence Ministry targets to build 25,000 units of affordable houses for Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel and veterans across the country by 2030 through the SaSar (One Member, One House) programme.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said 5,972 units were expected to be built this year and next year.
“The SaSaR programme is a scheme to reduce dependence on living quarters and encouraging members of MAF to buy a house while still in service at the ratio of 70 percent personnel to 30 percent veterans,” he said in reply to a question from Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) in the Dewan Rakyat, here, today.
Hishammuddin said the ministry also held discussions with the implementers of the affordable home projects such as the 1Malaysia Public Housing (PPA1M), Federal Territory Affordable Housing (RUMAWIP) and 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA) projects to consider a quota for MAF members in these projects.
He also said that through the 11th Malaysia Plan, 12 RKAT (Armed Forces Family Housing) projects to build 3,272 units at a cost of RM1.276 billion had been approved and expected to be ready by 2020.
He said the government had also approved a special allocation of RM1 billion to build 3,500 units of RKAT houses at 14 camps across the country and these were also expected to be completed by 2020.
At a press conference later, Hishammuddin said his ministry had identified a location to build a hospital specifically for MAF veterans.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2018 Budget last month, said RM40 million had been allocated to upgrade five hospitals, and to build four polyclinics and a hospital for MAF veterans.
– BERNAMA